Introduction + Some Questions

[SplitHeavens]

Hi, I just recently joined this community and I'm pretty new to card magic. I've been interested in magic since I was young and I'm not just really getting into it, bought a few decks and such, I can do quite a few flourishes and tricks.

Anyway, what are the best brands of cards to do tricks with?
I heard Tally-Ho ones are in fact the best, mine is being shipped to me right now so I haven't tried them out yet.

I bought a lot of standard Bicycle decks and I think those are the most effective, or maybe I'm just really used to them. I've been playing around with Black Deck Tiger and Shadow Masters and they're a bit thick and heavy, I have a little trouble springing cards and handling the deck in itself, the good thing about them is that they're not super slippery when you first open them, but they're quite rough.

And I'm 19, I wish I would've started practicing magic much earlier so I'm gonna be practicing quite hard to catch up with a lot of you.
How old are you guys when you started getting in magic?

 

[lilstunna]

if ur just starting out then i would say that you dont really need all those black decks that cost like 6 bucks a deck. Go to a costco and u can get a brick of decks(12 decks) for just 13 bucks.im turning 15 in 16 days. welcome to theory11.

 

[thecavschosenone]

I like regular Bikes. Their great for what I use them for. I'm 16. I've been doing magic for about six years, but I've been performing for the last four.

 

[MagicSanj]

First off... WELCOME TO THE COMMUNITY!

I am almost 15 years old, and have been doing magic since I was 11.

Concerning decks...

I think almost every theory11 deck is worth investing in. They all feel really nice, and last really really long. My favorite decks from theory11 are probably the SplitSpades, Guardians, Centurions, Smoke and Mirrors... ah, forget it! I love them all

If you are more into thin cards though, I would go with the Propaganadas that just came out. They are slightly thicker than bikes, but that small nuance makes a big difference!

Also, on a really important note:: A great investment would be a Porper clip. This really makes my cards last long, even when I leave them in my pocket! They do not bend or anything, and feel really nice once you take them out of the clip! This makes carrying cards around easy, and keeps your cards in the best shape possible.

Again, welcome to the community. Feel free to add me on AIM or Windows live (above near my name on the way right!)

I love this community, and hope you will too.

Best Regards,

-Sanj

 

[SplitHeavens]

Thanks for the reply guys.

Also, any tips for people with skinny fingers?
I hate having skinny fingers because I can't palm or hide cards. Ugh. x_X

 

[visualartist]

Thanks for the reply guys.

Also, any tips for people with skinny fingers?
I hate having skinny fingers because I can't palm or hide cards. Ugh. x_X

Fatten em up.lol
There are other methods for hiding cards.
My favorite by far is the gamblers cop.

 

[RikAllen]

Thanks for the reply guys.

Also, any tips for people with skinny fingers?
I hate having skinny fingers because I can't palm or hide cards. Ugh. x_X

For starters, Welcome SlitHeavens!

My friend has ridiculously skinny fingers/hands. He can palm just as good as I can with my hands. There are no excuses (sorry to say) or special techniques (that I know of).

There are actually a lot of threads concerning palming or performing sleights with smaller hands. It comes down to practicing angles (use a mirror, friend or video camera to perfect them).

I (literally) just messed around in my mirror and can effectively palm without my index finger. About half of an inch sticks out past my pinky, which means I have limits behind me, but I would be confident doing so with just 2 or 3 spectators.

I hope that helps. I sent you a PM with some other advice(rather, am about to send you).

-Rik

 

[SplitHeavens]

My friend has ridiculously skinny fingers/hands. He can palm just as good as I can with my hands. There are no excuses (sorry to say) or special techniques (that I know of).
-Rik

No, mine are way skinny, lenghtwise, it's fine, but in skinniness, it's not normal. If I flatten my fingers, there are a few holes in which you can see through them not matter how hard press them on each other, therefore, palming and backpalming is very noticeable, the cards stick out and you can see through it. In order to close the visible spots, I have to physically get my other hand to squeeze it. I have not fat on it, and what produces the "holes" are the bones and joints going across each other. Just image skeletal fingers, but with a little coating of skin.

 

[Dylan P.]

Hi, I just recently joined this community and I'm pretty new to card magic. I've been interested in magic since I was young and I'm not just really getting into it, bought a few decks and such, I can do quite a few flourishes and tricks.

Anyway, what are the best brands of cards to do tricks with?
I heard Tally-Ho ones are in fact the best, mine is being shipped to me right now so I haven't tried them out yet.

I bought a lot of standard Bicycle decks and I think those are the most effective, or maybe I'm just really used to them. I've been playing around with Black Deck Tiger and Shadow Masters and they're a bit thick and heavy, I have a little trouble springing cards and handling the deck in itself, the good thing about them is that they're not super slippery when you first open them, but they're quite rough.

And I'm 19, I wish I would've started practicing magic much earlier so I'm gonna be practicing quite hard to catch up with a lot of you.
How old are you guys when you started getting in magic?

Personally I have never owned any Taly Ho's besides the vipers but I do want to try them out. But some really cool cards would be Bicycles, Aviators (These are a bit thick and plasticy but I like Them), Bee Playing Cards, or Hoyle Cards.

Those Custome decks (The Tigers and Shadow Masters) Are supposed to be thick and heavy. They have thicker stock making them last longer. Hence their more expensive. Also they have a UV 5000 air finish instead of standard air cushion. That is why they feel different.

Practice three tricks and learn them perfectly before advancing. Don't go all over the place. Also, I started magic when I was 9 and now I'm 15. And qyuite accomplished. I am doing a gig for 1000$ in june.

 

[lunatic core]

D+m teaches a palming method on Dangerous vol 1 that will probably work for you. Also Tally's are supposed to be in theory the same (stock & finish) as Bicycles. Bicycles are the best bang for your buck starting out. They are common, affordable, and nearly every common gaff/gimmick is made in their style. If you plan to "borrow" alot of decks then it's nice to be comfortable with the most common card. Edit: The Gambler Cop mention above is the one d+m teaches on Dangerous vol 1.

 

[praetoritevong]

I didn't start magic till I was 16, so you're not far behind. And a lot of guys have started much later.

As far as cards go it's probably worth just going through custom cards and trying them out - different things really do work for different people.